The Ultimate Steamy Romance Bundle

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PROLOGUE

My hand shakes from the intense precision I require, sweat dotting my forehead as each wire is carefully constructed and wrapped.

It’s been so long since I’ve given in to this urge; I’d forgotten what it feels like. The power that accompanies the thrill, but this time, it’s about more than power.

It’s about revenge.

Soon there will be nothing left of this town but ash, and everyone in it will feel the wrath of my vengeance.

CHAPTER ONE

Zoey

Anticipation slides down my spine, my pulse racing at a rapid pace as we drive down a long gravel road just outside of town, my heart and body fully aware of the man next to me.

I’ve waited a long time for this night. A night I am going to allow myself to have just this once then I’ll hold the beautiful memories close to me when it’s all over.

My gaze shifts to Austin, admiring his strong profile and the hard angle of his jaw, the glow from the dashboard illuminating his handsome face. One I often admire from afar when he and his friends come into the bar for a drink. Whether it’s after a long day of fire fighting or a grueling hockey game, they spend many nights socializing at Overtime. Considering I own the place, it’s definitely a bonus.

Weeks ago, I hosted a date auction with some of the most eligible bachelors of Colorado, the courageous men of Fire Station Two. It was for a cause that I hold very dear to my heart. All the proceeds were donated to the Children’s Miracle Center. A place where my eleven-year-old sister, Chrissy, has resided for the past three years. She has cerebral palsy, one of the most severe cases her doctors have ever seen, which is why she requires assisted living.

The auction was a success, as I knew it would be. We raised a lot of money. The men were less than enthused to be bid on by a bunch of hungry women but they did it for me anyway. They know how important that center is for my sister.

It also gave me the perfect opportunity to snag a date with Austin Hawke, a man I now consider a friend but feel so much more for. It turned into quite the bidding war between me and two other women but I was not going to back down, which is why I topped the bid at one thousand dollars. I knew it would be money well spent, not only for myself but also for Chrissy. However, when it came time to pay, I found out Austin had already taken care of it. My heart warms at the reminder, a small smile stealing my lips.

Sensing the weight of my stare, Austin spares me a glance. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours, Zoey girl?”

“Zoey girl.” A nickname he has given me for as long as I have known him. It makes me smile every time he uses it.

I rest back against my seat, keeping my eyes trained on his handsome face. “Just thinking about how much fun I’ve had with you today.”

It’s been a date I’ll remember forever. We started the afternoon by going on a long hike through the mountains, a trail Austin visits frequently. The scenery was incredible and my fingers twitched, wishing I had brought my camera with me. Photography is a hobby of mine that I don’t get to do often and today I experienced some of the most beautiful sights this world has to offer.

Afterward, we had a picnic that was packed with all my favorite food; lying next to the basket was also a bouquet of daffodils—my favorite flower. Turns out my best friend, Sam, gave Austin a helping hand by sharing the information about me. He put a lot of thought into this date and it has meant more to me than he will ever know.

Conversation flowed well throughout dinner. I was riveted by everything he shared about himself, especially about his life as a firefighter. His career is just one of the many things I’ve always admired about him. Our meal ended with us watching the sunset. The red, orange, and purple hues danced across the sky, sinking beyond the mountains. It was beautiful and peaceful.

A moment I will treasure forever.

He reaches over the console and takes my hand in his, sending a warm sensation up my arm. “It’s not over yet, I’m nowhere near done with you.”

My belly dips with anticipation at the underlying promise in his words. To finish the night off he’s taking me to the house that he’s been building for the past year, seated just on the outskirts of town. I’m both excited and anxious of the prospect for how the night will end.

Unlike me, Austin doesn’t look the least bit nervous; his large, fit body is nothing but relaxed behind the wheel.

“And for the record,” he says, speaking again. “Next time you want a date, Zoey, an auction isn’t necessary, all you have to do is ask.” His eyes seek mine in the dark truck, seizing the moment. “You have to know by now that I’d take you anywhere. You just have to give me the chance.”

His words are both soothing and heartbreaking. If he only knew how long I’ve wanted this, how much I wish I could date like a normal twenty-five-year-old. Every date would be shared with him. Unfortunately, that is not the life I’ve been given. Not with the responsibility of my sister. She needs me too much. Between the bar and taking care of her, there is no time left for my love life.

I’m saved from having to reveal that when he turns off the gravel road, driving up a dirt path that leads to his house. When the log home comes into view, I gasp in awe of its rustic beauty. There’s a massive porch that wraps around the entire house. Right away, I envision hanging ferns and a swing big enough to lie on. A place where you can sit and appreciate the beautiful nature that God has so graciously created. Even though the house is unfinished, you can’t help but see its potential.

Austin clears his throat, breaking into my admiration. “It’s still a work in progress.”

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, my attention anchored on the sight before me.

Reaching into the backseat, he grabs a lantern and turns it on, bringing the truck to a soft glow. “Come on, I’ll show you the inside.”

He climbs out and comes around to offer me his hand, helping me down. Once my feet hit the hard dirt, his fingers curl around mine. My heart dances in my chest at the simple gesture as we walk up to the house.

“Be careful, one of the stairs isn’t screwed in all the way.” He releases my hand and wraps an arm around my waist, lifting me over the stair in question before placing me back on my feet.

I suddenly find myself winded, the side of my body that was just pressed against his blazing from the contact. I’ve never been affected like this before. This need, this pull, it draws me in and never lets go.

He hands me the lantern as he digs into his pocket for his keys and unlocks the door. Dusty wood creaks beneath my light footsteps as I enter inside. Once again I’m struck by the unique craftsmanship. There’s just enough moonlight pouring in from the floor to ceiling windows to offer a generous view of the open concept.

“Let me start a fire,” he says, stepping around me.

“That’s not something you hear a fireman say every day,” I tease.

A low chuckle rumbles from his chest, the sound trickling across my skin with a delicious tingle.

“Do you want a drink?” he asks.

“I’d love one.”

“Beer okay?”

“That’s great. Thanks.”

While he walks over to the far corner where the fireplace is, I lift the lantern and do some more exploring. I check out the three framed bedrooms, making sure to be mindful of all the scattered tools and building materials lying around. Immediately, I know which one will be the master due to its size. Much like the rest of the house, this room is made up of large windows, giving a picturesque view of outside. Amongst the tall trees and mountains, I can hear a small creek, its rushing water adding to the atmosphere.

I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to wake up here in the morning. Sun dripping with the day’s promise and birds chirping with life.

A dream home if I’ve ever seen one. Maybe one day I’ll have something like this. A place for Chrissy and me to call home that will be wheelchair accessible and able to accommodate all of her needs.

I push aside my fruitless dreams for now and walk out of the room, entering into the half-finished kitchen. My fingers dance along the dusty granite counters that have just been installed. There’s a hole in the center where the sink will go.

“Like what you see?”

I spin around on a gasp and find Austin standing right behind me.

An amused grin curves his lips. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him, sounding ridiculously breathless. Though, that has more to do with his close proximity than my frantic heartbeat.

He passes me one of the two bottles he holds. I accept it with a smile and place the lantern down next to me.

“So, what do you think?” he asks again, gesturing around us.

“I love it. It’s already so beautiful I can only imagine what it will look like when it’s completely finished.”

“Thanks. I’ve been working on it for so long it feels good to finally see an end in sight.”

“How much longer until you move in?”

“Another few weeks and it will be livable but the finished product is still months away. I have a lot more I want to do.”

It amazes me that he has built this with his own two hands. “Do you have much help?”

“Yeah, my dad comes when he can and so do Jake and Cam,” he says, talking about his two best friends who also work with him at the fire department. “Of course, they come a lot more when I offer free beer,” he finishes with a sexy smirk.

A chuckle escapes me. “Free beer is always a good incentive.”

His smile fades, his warm brown eyes pinning me in place. Setting his beer down on the counter, he plants his hands on either side of my body, caging me in. My grip on my bottle tightens, my breath catching at the way he invades my personal space.

“What is it you’re wanting here, Zoey?” he asks, cutting right to the chase. “What are you hoping to get out of this?”

It’s now or never.

My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips as I steel my nerves. “You.” The confession is nothing more than a whisper. “I want you but I only have tonight.”

“Why?” he asks, eyes searching mine.

“Because I can’t give you any more than that. Between the bar and Chrissy, I don’t have time for anything else. I probably shouldn’t even be here now,” I tell him, guilt bubbling inside of me when I think about my sister all alone at the center. “But I am and I have tonight, if you want me.”

My heart bangs inside of my chest, echoing in my ears as he peers back at me.

He dips his face closer, his nose brushing my cheek. “What if I want more than one night? What if I don’t want to let you go after this is over?”

My eyes drift closed, disappointment crushing me. I wish I could tell him I want that, too. I’d love nothing more than to spend many nights in his arms but…I can’t. I can’t be selfish.

“I’m sorry. I can’t have more, not when I have Chrissy to look after. I’m all she has.”

He rests his forehead against the side of mine but I keep my eyes closed, unable to witness his rejection that I’m sure is to come.

A sharp breath impales my lungs when I feel his warm lips against my cheek, pressing a gentle kiss before moving to my ear. “Then I guess we better make this night count.”

My eyes spring open, his handsome face hovering before me. He closes the remaining distance between us, his lips descending, slow and sure, capturing mine in a heated caress. The subtle contact rocks the very foundation of who I am.

The beer bottle slips from my hands, crashing to the floor as my fingers dive into his hair, my need for him racing to the surface and exploding like dynamite.

Growling, he cups my bottom, lifting me off my feet. “You taste so fucking sweet, Zoey girl.”

I want to tell him the same thing but I can barely manage a coherent thought at the moment let alone speak it.

My legs lock around his lean waist as he walks us over to the fireplace, his mouth continuing to dominate mine.

My back meets the blanket that’s been laid out, Austin’s hard body following down on top of me. His erection settles between my legs, nudging the exact spot I crave to feel him most.

A moan shoves from my throat as I reach for the bottom of his shirt, needing to feel his skin upon mine. He rises to his knees and reaches behind his back, pulling the soft material over his head to reveal…perfection.

The glow of the roaring flames dance across his sun-kissed skin, showcasing every hard line of his body. From his broad shoulders and strong chest down to his sculpted abs that look like they’ve been carved from stone.

Before I have a chance to explore all those hard lines, he moves for my tank top, inching it up my stomach. I lift up just enough for him to clear it over my head. His warm brown eyes darken as they become fixated on my black lace bra. A garment I splurged on just for this night with him.

My teeth sink into my bottom lip as his hand coasts up my stomach, creating a path of heat in its wake. He flicks the front clasp, brushing the lace cups aside to bare me to his stare.

“So fucking pretty.” The deep vibration of his voice races through my body. His face dips, lips descending to draw a hard nipple into his mouth.

A heated whimper breaches my lips, my back arching to get closer. His free hand covers my other breast; fingers teasing my aching tip while his teeth torment the other. Every pull of his mouth and fiery lash of his tongue drives my need higher.

I lift my hips, seeking friction for the fierce ache between my legs. “Austin, please.”

“Easy, baby,” he soothes, trailing his warm, wet mouth down my stomach. “We have all night.”

I don’t want to wait all night. I already feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this moment with him. On the loneliest nights it’s his face I see and his touch I feel. Now I can say everything I imagined before this pales in comparison to the real thing.

He flicks the button of my shorts and drags them down my legs, taking my lace thong with them. Another growl shreds his throat, his hand snaking between my legs. “This is all for me, isn’t it, baby?”

“Yes,” I gasp, desire seeping into my blood with heated force.

“We’re going to get this pretty pussy nice and ready for me.” I barely comprehend the erotic words before he drops down, his tongue delving through my wet center.

My cry of pleasure tears through the room, hips bucking as the most beautiful sensations ravage my body.

“So fucking sweet.” His groan ripples through me, adding to the pleasure.

I thrash beneath him, my fingers tangling in his hair as he devours me in a way I’ve only ever dreamed about. He bands an arm over my hips, holding me in place as his tongue works deeper—harder.

The moment he adds a finger into my entrance, I catapult into another universe. His name pours from my lips as pleasure whips through my senses.

“That’s it, Zoey girl. Come all over my face.” Austin never falters until he takes every last drop from me. My chest heaves, lungs working hard for air as he climbs back up my body. His lips cherish every inch of skin he passes before he takes my mouth in a searing kiss, igniting another inferno within.

I moan at the lingering taste of myself, the flavor making my senses reel. My hands move to his belt, eager for more.

I’m ready for all of him.

He reaches down to help me, his efforts as urgent as mine. Once he sheathes himself with the condom, he lines himself up, his jaw ticking in restraint. “You ready for me, baby?”

“Yes,” I whisper without hesitation.

The tip of him presses inside of me seconds before he pushes forward, filling me with every generous inch of him. An army of sensations implode through my body, settling deep into my heart. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and bury my face in his neck as I become overwhelmed with emotion.

His body stills, a groan rumbling his chest. “Sweet Zoey,” he croons, his lips brushing my ear, “we’re so good together.”

We’re better than good. Nothing has ever felt so right, but I’ve always known we would be. I knew if this night were to ever happen between us we would create magic.

That’s why, in this moment, I choose to hold him close. To not let him move and just savor the way his body feels pressed against mine, how he fills me so perfectly, knowing after tonight I will never feel anything like this again.

“How the hell am I supposed to let you go now?” The torment in his voice has pain infiltrating my chest.

I don’t have an answer for him. I have no idea how I am going to walk away after this. The thought has emotion inching up my throat but I swallow it back, refusing to let it penetrate this perfect moment.

He presses a kiss to my shoulder, my cheek, then my mouth, his lips going from gentle to commanding in a matter of seconds. My fingers dig into his broad shoulders as he begins moving, slowly at first, each stroke more beautiful than the last as he kisses a part of my soul that’s never been touched before.

“I love feeling you inside of me,” I admit before I can stop myself.

“It’s fucking perfect. You’re perfect.” His mouth parts from mine as he braces himself above me, driving himself harder and deeper.

“Yes!” My leg curls around his back as I completely surrender myself, loving the way his strong body strains beneath my fingertips.

“It’s good, baby, isn’t it?”

“So good,” I moan, the connection between us undeniable.

“That’s because it’s us, Zoey. You and me, and together we’re fucking dynamite.” He covers my mouth with his, never faltering his delectable thrusts. If anything, he gives me more, hammering into me harder and more possessively.

Sweat soaks our skin, our bodies melding together the same way our hearts are. My stomach begins to tighten, fingers clawing his shoulders as I feel myself teetering on the edge of precious destruction once again.

“Austin,” I whisper against his lips, not wanting this to end, wishing I could stop time.

“Give into it, baby. I’m nowhere near done with you.”

It’s those words that have me letting go. This orgasm is even more powerful than the last, robbing my heart and stealing what’s left of it.

Austin follows not long after me, burying his face in my neck on a long, deep groan. I hold him close through it all, making sure to keep my emotion locked up tight.

Afterward, we lie together in a sweaty tangled mess as we try to catch our breaths. My head lies on his chest, his arm braced along my back to keep me close.

“Are you cold?” he asks, mumbling the question.

“No. As long as you stay right here with me, I’ll be warm.”

His lips press on the top of my head. “I don’t plan on leaving this spot for the rest of the night.”

Smiling, I bury my face deeper into his chest, clinging to these few precious hours we have together. Eventually, I drift off only to be awakened a short time later by his hands and mouth on my body.

We make love twice more through the night, each time more perfect than the last. I make sure to commit it all to memory. Every touch and kiss we share I store in a place that will only ever be reserved for him.

When dawn breaks and I’m no longer able to put off the dreadful moment, I slip out from under his arm as quietly as possible and get dressed. I gaze down at his sleeping face, my heart shattering in a million pieces to know I will never see him this way again.

Unable to stop myself, I kneel down next to him, brushing my lips across his one more time. Then I do one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

I walk away.

No doubt he’ll be angry when he wakes up to find me gone but it will be easier this way, for the both of us. Knowing this doesn’t make it any less painful though.

Gravel crunches beneath my tennis shoes as I start my long walk home, the fresh air doing very little for my wounded heart.

I can’t be angry at the life I’ve been given. I love my sister and the responsibility of taking care of her has never been a burden. She’s the reason I wake up every single day. My reason for everything I do.

But I can’t help but wonder, what if.

What if things were different and I could keep Austin? What if I could do the one thing I love most and capture the beautiful sights of this world that most of us take for granted. More importantly, what if my sister wasn’t disabled and could care for herself? To be able to fall in love with another and have a family of her own one day.

It’s that thought that has my tears flowing freely. For the life I wish I could have, but even more, for the life Chrissy has been denied. That’s what makes me continue to put one foot in front of the other, leaving behind a night I’ll never forget and a man I will long for until the day I die.

CHAPTER TWO

Austin

Two months later

Smoke consumes the air, billowing around me. It tries sucking me into its black abyss but I fight through the chaos, refusing to let it swallow me. Despite the fiery destruction, everything inside of me is calm and collected.

Focused.

I can hear every breath of oxygen I pull in from my tank. It echoes in my ears and rushes through my blood. Beads of sweat drip into my eyes and trickle down my face. Most importantly, I feel my brothers close by, fighting the roaring flames next to me.

This is the job. A risk we take. A sacrifice we all make.

We got the call not even fifteen minutes ago about the abandoned warehouse being up in flames. From the outside it looked manageable, but once we entered we were met with a raging beast.

“Talk to me, Hawke. What do you guys have going on in there?” My captain’s voice booms through my earpiece.

“We managed to make it to the upper level but the situation has escalated. I’ve never seen anything like this, Cap. Something doesn’t feel right. There’s an odor in here I can’t place.”

“I smell it, too,” Jake says, speaking into his mic. He stands to my left, only a few feet away.

“We need a different plan of attack.”

“Agreed,” Cam adds.

“Screw that,” Declan argues. “We got this, guys.”

“Not from in here!” My voice is stern, leaving no room for argument.

Declan is a rookie and eager. I get it, this is what we’re trained for, what we wait for, but he is not qualified for something of this magnitude. None of us are with the plan we have in place now.

“All right. All of you, out,” Cap orders. “We’ll cover it from the outside until more reinforcements show up.”

“Copy,” Cam says from my right. “I’m backing out now.”

Jake withdraws next.

“Declan?” I call, waiting for his check-in behind me.

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles.

The moment I feel the tug of the hose with his descent, I retreat, my eyes never straying from the raging beauty before me. How something can be so beautiful yet destructive at the same time is a complete mind fuck but it’s one of the reasons I love what I do.

“Hold up, there’s a cracked door open over here,” Declan bellows. “It looks clean, maybe we can approach it from here.”

I spin around, barely making out his shadow as he moves left, reaching for the door. “Do not enter! It’s not secure.”

My order comes too late. Dread grips my chest in a fit of rage as flames escape, roaring with suffocating heat and engulfing Declan in the blink of an eye.

The blast is furious, knocking me off my feet. Pain radiates through my whole body, sucking the air out of my lungs, but nothing hurts as much as the grief spearing my chest like a hot iron poker, the knowledge that I just watched Declan turn to ash right before my eyes.

I come awake on a roar, a cold sweat covering my skin as I shoot upright. My lungs expand painfully, trying to take in air as I fight to even my breathing. I glance at the clock and realize my alarm is blaring. Hitting the silence button, I grab my cell that lies next to it and find a text from Cam.

I’ll pick you up at ten. Cap wants us at the church early.

My gut knots, my mind and heart not ready for this. To say the final goodbye to a fellow brother. One I was supposed to watch over and protect.

With that tormenting thought in mind, I climb to my feet and head for the shower, hoping to wash away the guilt and despair that has been suffocating me for the past week.

The day passes in a sea of blue but the pain is transparent, written on the faces of everyone here, including my fellow brothers. Being a pallbearer has to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It’s supposed to be an honor yet I feel undeserving.

I’m not the only one who feels it. All of us do. Cam, Jake, and I have been best friends since we were kids, playing hockey together our entire lives and now we fight fires side by side, always watching out for one another. When one of us bleeds, we all bleed, and right now is no different.

As hard as this has been on us, I think Cap is taking it the worst. In his thirty-five years, Captain Gyepesi, or whom we like to call Captain Gypsy, has never lost a man on his watch…until now.

The day only gets grimmer when we walk out to the cemetery for the final goodbye and watch as his casket is lowered into the ground. By the time we head back to the parking lot, I’m struggling to breathe through the tightness in my chest.

“I need to get the fuck out of here,” Jake says, his voice solemn and body wound tight. “I need a drink.”

No one likes a funeral but especially Jake. Not since he had to lay both his parents to rest years ago after a house fire took their lives. It left him to drop his football scholarship to raise his younger sister on his own.

Cam nudges my shoulder and nods across the way. My head turns to see Chief Ramsey striding toward us, grief smothering the older man’s face.

Ramsey is the fire chief of the entire division. He’s also Declan’s uncle and the man who raised him. Their relationship was as strong as father and son. I honestly believe the only reason Declan joined the department was to make Ramsey proud. If that’s not a swift kick in the balls for the chief, he also lost his wife a year ago to cancer. As far as I know, Declan was the only family he had left.

Witnessing the sorrow in the other man’s eyes only serves to drive that ever-present guilt deeper into my gut.

“Boys,” he greets us, shaking each one of our hands, “thanks for being here, Declan had great respect for all of you.”

“It was an honor working with him, Sir,” Cam replies, speaking for all of us.

Tension fills the air when Chief directs his attention over to Captain.

“Gyepesi.” He acknowledges him with a tight nod.

“Ramsey.”

There has always been tension between the two of them, something that Cap brushes off anytime we ask. Ramsey, Cap, and Jake’s father were all firefighters together, the best of friends until one day they weren’t. There’s a story there, one none of us know. Not even Declan knew.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Cap continues, filling the silence. “Declan was a good kid and a hell of a firefighter. It was an honor to have him as part of my team, and I have no doubt he would have amounted to great things.”

Chief Ramsey shrugs easily but there is no denying the devastation masking his face. “I guess we’ll never know now, will we? Looks like you made another bad call, Cap.”

Cam, Jake, and I share a look, wondering what the hell he means by that. An undeniable pain flashes in the captain’s eyes.

The dig against him is unfair; if anyone is to blame it’s me, not him. Before I have a chance to speak that, the chief walks away, leaving us in gloomy silence.

“Forget what he said,” Cam says, clapping him on the shoulder. “Wanna come drown your sorrows with us?”

He waves us away. “Nah, you boys go on. I’m going to head back to the station and do some paperwork.”

“You sure?” Jake asks.

“Yeah. Behave. I’ll see you next shift.” After shaking each of our hands, he heads for his truck.

“What do you think Ramsey meant about that call?” Jake asks.

I shrug, having no idea, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t even more curious now about this tension between them.

Cam, on the other hand, doesn’t give it much thought. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Overtime?” he asks, looking directly at me.

Two months ago, this would have never been a question, but now it is. All because the girl who owns it has me by the balls and everyone knows it, including me.

The last thing I want right now is to be reminded of everything I want but can’t have. Yet, at the same time, I know seeing those baby blues will no doubt help mask the despair and helplessness that has been gripping me for the past week.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

CHAPTER THREE

Zoey

Every move I make within the bar, I can feel his intense gaze on me. Piercing and penetrating, infiltrating every nerve ending in my body.

Unable to stop myself, I glance over my shoulder. Our eyes collide, his warm brown irises calling to every part of me. There’s a sadness in them, a defeat that tugs at my yearning heart.

Austin, Jake, and Cam came in hours ago and have been drinking their pain away for most of the day. A pain they’ve had to face by saying goodbye to Declan. My heart broke when I heard the news last week, knowing Austin and the others had to be devastated.

I desperately wanted to reach out to him but didn’t think my condolences would be welcomed. Ever since I slipped out on him, our friendship has been strained, to say the least. He was as mad as I knew he would be when he woke up that morning to find me gone. It’s been hard, really hard. I miss him, but most of all I miss our friendship.

“Hey, hot stuff!”

My eyes dart to Garth Cornell, another patron who has been in here drinking with some coworkers.

“Bring us another round,” he demands rudely.

The arrogance pouring off him makes my teeth grind. The four of them come in on the last Friday of every month. They share a few drinks and usually act like pretentious jerks. I put up with it because they spend a lot of money and always tip well. Since things are tight right now, I’ll take what I can get.

“You want me to deal with them?” Tara asks, one of the only few waitresses I have on staff. She is not only a great employee but has also become a friend. Something I’ve missed since my best friend, Sam, moved away.

I shake my head and flash her an appreciative smile. “I got them but thanks.”

I make my way behind the counter and set out four tumblers, adding ice to each glass before filling them half full with the best scotch I have. Their tastes are as expensive as their Armani suits.

Frank, my new bartender, comes up behind me and reaches over my shoulder for a glass. “I don’t know why you put up with those assholes,” he says, gesturing to Garth’s table.

I shrug. “Their money is as good as anyone else’s, besides, they’re harmless.”

Most of the time.

He grunts. “Whatever you say, sweetheart. It’s your bar.”

I smile back at the older man. Decked out in black leather and covered with tattoos, the veteran might have a tough exterior but he’s a kind soul. I hired him because I needed the help and figured it’s good to have a man around, especially for those late nights when closing. Something Austin used to give me hell about all the time, but I never minded because then he would come in and wait until I finished, making sure I made it to my car safely.

The reminder has my heavy heart swelling in my chest. Shoving the thought aside, I put the four glasses on a tray and carry them over to the waiting table. When I place the last drink down in front of Garth, his hand moves to the inside of my leg, fingers grazing.

I step back and fake the best smile I can manage. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, why don’t you pull up a chair and have a drink with us.”

We go through this every time he comes in here and my answer is always the same, just like when he asks me out.

“You know I can’t do that. I have a bar full of customers.”

“It’s not that busy. Sit down, Zoey, and have a drink.”

Annoyed, I ignore his cocky demand and don’t bother repeating myself. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

I turn away only to have him snag my wrist, his fingers bruising.

Spinning around, my eyes narrow, meeting his dead-on. “If you ever want to come in here again, I suggest you let me go right now.”

“Quit being so stubborn and have one drink with us.”

He tries tugging me closer but I dig my heels in. “I mean it, Garth. Let go!”

He vanishes before my eyes in a blur of movement. Glass shatters on the floor as the table flips over on its side in a turn of destruction. By the time I register what’s happening, Austin has Garth by the throat, pinning him against the wall.

“What part did you not understand?”

A couple of Garth’s coworkers move for Austin until Jake and Cam step in front of them.

“That’s enough!” I hop over the broken glass and insert myself between the two, facing Austin. My shaky hand presses against his chest. “Let him go.”

His furious eyes never stray from Garth, jaw locked tight.

“I’d listen to her,” Garth wheezes out. The threat in his voice is as pathetic as he is but I know he has the means to back it up. He could cause Austin a lot of grief if he wanted to.

The thought leaves my stomach in knots. “Please, Austin,” I plead, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes finally drop to mine, acknowledging me for only a second, but it’s a powerful one before he shifts his attention back to Garth. “Put your hands on her again and I’ll fucking kill you.”

His warning rings through the air with promise. He steps back but not before giving Garth one final shove. I follow him forward as he retreats then turn and face Garth. He massages his throat, his face beginning to lose the purple tinge.

“You aren’t welcome here anymore,” I tell him. “It’s time for you all to leave.”

He straightens, his expression hard as granite. He does not like rejection nor does he like his ego to take a beating, which is exactly what Austin just accomplished.

“There are far better places to drink than this dump anyway.” His foot meets one of the tipped over chairs, kicking it across the room. He passes by me, way too close for comfort, and the word bitch falls from his mouth in a mumble but it’s not quiet enough.

It puts Austin in motion but I manage to hold him back, my hand pressing on his strong chest once again. “He’s not worth it.”

Frank follows them out the door, making sure they leave the premises. Afterward, I blow out a shaky breath, taking in the mess of shattered glass and broken table.

“You all right, Zoey?” Cam asks.

I nod. “Yeah. Thanks.” My attention returns to Austin to thank him too but the words die in my throat when I see blood soaking his hand and dripping onto the floor. “You’re bleeding!”

He looks down at his wound, flexing his fingers. “It’s fine.”

It’s not “fine” and the pool of blood starting at his feet proves it. I grab the small white towel tucked in my apron and wrap it around his hand. “Come on, I have a first aid kit in the back.”

Cam, Jake, and Tara begin cleaning up the mess as I walk Austin into the kitchen, the door swinging closed behind us.

“Sit,” I order, pointing to a stool at the stainless steel island.

He complies while I grab the first aid kit, his eyes tracking my every move again. I feel it along my skin, dancing its way into my traitorous heart.

My gaze avoids his as I come to stand in front of him, pulling out what I need to clean and dress his injury. “Let me see,” I whisper, unwrapping the bloody towel from his hand.

There’s a large gash on his palm and several small cuts on his knuckles. Probably from knocking the glass out of Garth’s hand and shattering it.

My fingers tremble as I rip open the gauze and begin cleaning the small wounds; all the while I still feel his eyes on me.

The silence makes me nervous. “Thank you for stepping in and helping me,” I say gently. “It wasn’t necessary but I appreciate it.”

“I don’t like anyone touching you.”

The possessiveness in his tone has my eyes finally pulling to his. There’s so many emotions staring back at me, all the ones I’ve been harboring since our night together. One stands out amongst the others though—sadness, the day’s event clearly weighing heavily on him.

“I’m so sorry about Declan.”

My words deepen the pain in his eyes. He lets go of a heavy breath, dropping his forehead on my stomach. “It’s my fault,” he murmurs, guilt hanging in his voice.

I lift my hand, sifting my fingers through his hair to offer comfort. “Don’t say that.”

“It is. As his lieutenant it was my job to watch out for him. I told him not to enter but…” He trails off, unable to finish the sentence.

“I don’t have all the details but I’m sure Declan wouldn’t want you blaming yourself. You’re a good man, Austin. The best I’ve ever known.” I rub my hand up and down his back soothingly as he remains silent. “The service was really beautiful.”

His head lifts, shock registering on his face. “You were there?”

I nod.

“Why didn’t you come talk to me?”

I shrug. “I didn’t want to upset you further so I thought it would be best to stay in the back.”

“Why do you think it would have upset me?”

All these questions are steering the conversation in a direction I don’t want it to go but it’s time we have this discussion. It’s long overdue. “Because you’re angry with me.”

“Damn right I’m angry,” he says, hardening his tone. “You ran off on me in the middle of the fucking night and walked home on a deserted dirt road all alone.”

“I thought it would be easier that way.”

“Easier for who?”

I remain silent because we both know the answer. Maybe it makes me a coward but I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye to him, walking away was hard enough. If I had to do it looking into those magnetic eyes, I don’t think I would have been able to.

His good hand moves to the side of my face, fingers grazing as he cups my cheek. “Zoey girl, look at me.”

I do as he says, tears burning the back of my eyes as I become locked in a gaze of longing with him.

His head dips, perfect lips moving for mine. My heart yearns for it, craves his kiss, but at the last second I turn my face, fighting the war within my heart.

“I’m sorry,” I choke out.

His forehead rests on my temple, jaw clenching in frustration. “I know you want this as much as I do. Why are you fighting it so much?”

“It’s not about what I want.”

“The hell it isn’t!”

I flinch at the anger in his voice. “Please try to understand.”

“Understand what, Zoey?” he asks, releasing the side of my face.

It leaves me feeling cold and disconnected.

“You don’t tell me anything. You don’t let me in, so how the hell am I supposed to understand?”

How do I explain it to him? How do I get him to understand that I’m the only person my sister has? To make him understand how horribly she suffers, that she needs all the spare time I have.

“Talk to me,” he pleads, his voice softer.

I peer back at him, wanting to confide, to cry on his shoulder and tell him how tired I am. How much I love my sister but her condition takes a toll on me. The horrible thought brings guilt rushing to the surface, slapping me in the face like a cold wet rag. I have no right to feel this way, just like I have no right to lay this burden on him.

“It’s complicated,” I tell him.

The disappointment in his eyes crushes my soul into tiny fragments. “Fine. Have it your way.” He pushes from the island, climbing to his feet.

“Austin, please,” I beg, voice clogged with my barely contained emotions.

He doesn’t turn around and I can’t blame him.

I jump at the sound of his fist slamming into the metal door as he storms out of the kitchen, his angry departure ripping through my tattered heart.

The rest of the night passes in a blur of heartache. I avoid Tara’s and Frank’s concerned glances and wait for the bar to die down before leaving them to close up since they so graciously offered. By the time I climb into my car, I’m exhausted, both emotionally and physically, and wish for bed. Instead, I drive to the hospital.

The moment I walk through the sliding doors, I feel sick, my stomach churning at the pungent smell of disinfectant. I hate that she’s here, hate that this is her home, but until I can afford us a house of our own and in-home care, this is where she needs to be.

I step onto the elevator, riding it up to the third floor. As I pass by the nurses’ station, I greet Dina, the head nurse in charge.

“Hey, Zoey, do you have a minute?”

Concern has me coming to a hard stop. The only reason she would want to speak with me is if something happened.

“Is everything okay?”

“It is now.”

My heart crawls into my throat as I wait for her to elaborate.

“She had another seizure today.”

“How bad?”

Her long pause has icy cold fear flowing through my veins. “The worst one yet.”

My eyes fall shut, defeat settling over me.

“She’s okay now. Sleeping peacefully. The doctor will come speak with you in the morning. He’s running more tests and wants to try her on a different medication.”

“Okay. Thanks, Dina.”

She puts a hand on my shoulder. “Hang in there, honey. Chrissy’s strong and she’s fighting.”

As much as I appreciate her support, I find no comfort in her words. Because the truth of the matter is, Chrissy isn’t strong and she hasn’t been for a long time. Her condition continues to deteriorate no matter what we do and it leaves me feeling so helpless.

I continue to her room and open the door as quietly as possible. The dim light over her bed is on, casting a white glow on her as she lies fast asleep. Her mouth is open and body turned at an odd angle due to her muscle dysfunction.

The click of the door closing stirs her from her peaceful slumber. Her eyes flutter open, a noise working its way up her throat.

I walk forward, passing by her wheelchair and sit at the edge of her bed. “Hey, Chrissy Bee.”

She stares up at me, a light entering her eyes that wasn’t there a moment ago. When she looks at me like this, it gives me hope and eases some of my pain.

“D-D-Doey.”

Happiness fills my chest to hear my name fall past her lips. She can’t always say it. “Sorry to wake you. I meant to slip in quietly.”

Her locked fingers grip mine in a strength that surprises me, her eyes conveying what she can’t speak.

I know exactly what that look means. “Want me to stay tonight?”

Tremors rack her body as she blinks her answer at me.

“Okay,” I whisper, trailing my finger down her soft cheek. Pulling my purse off my shoulder, I set it to the side and crawl in the bed behind her rather than sleep in the chair like I usually do. I have a feeling Chrissy needs me more than that tonight and if I’m being honest, I need her, too.

As I curl around my sister’s broken body, smelling the subtle scent of her shampoo, I finally let the tears I’ve been holding in fall. Every one that spills is a prayer for Chrissy, that we find a way for her to live the life she deserves.

Never straying far from my mind and heart is the man I long for every night, wishing I could feel his strong arms around me now to hold all my broken pieces together.

Continue reading The Ultimate Steamy Book Boyfriend Bundle if you like:

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✔️ So Much More!

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